Automatic window-closer.



l 510.774,855. l n PATENTED N0V.15, 1904.

H. o. SMITH.

AUTOMATIC WINDOW CLOSER.

APPLIUATION FILED Auml?. 190s.

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AUTOMATIC wINnow CLOSER. l APPLICATION" FILED AUG. 17, 1903.

No MODEL. 2 sums-s111121' 2.

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| i' 4%@ 7 25 y LID@ 38 UNTTED STATES Patented November 15, 1904.

PATENT OEEicE.

AUTOMATIC WINDOW-CLOSER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 774,855, dated November 15, 1904.

Application filed August 17,1903. Serial No. 169,783. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t 7n (by concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY COLLIER SMITH, a citizen of the United States, residing in New York, in the county of' New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic VVindoW Closers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates principally to electric systems for closing windows, and particularly to means for closing them automatically in case or' fire; and its objects are to eectimproveniente in the construction and operation and reduction in cost of maintaining the 'systern.

Other objects will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a sectional plan of a window-head provided with my present improvements. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic elevation of the window structure seen at Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a detail of one form of motor employed in releasing the window-sashes. Fig. a is a view resembling Fig. 1, but showing another form of electric sash-releasing apparatus. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating a single electric circuit, including window-closers in series and thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel. Fig. 6 is a perspective of a room in a building, showing the windows provided with my improved electric closing system. Fig. 7 isa detail of one form of thermotic circuit-closer.

' Fig. 8 illustrates means whereby the closing of an auxiliary thermotic circuit may effect the closing of a main circuit, including a series oil windoW-closers. Fig. 9 illustrates another form of thermotic circuit-closer. perspective or' a room showing a form of window-closing system in which theiauxiliary circuit is normally closed and when broken by the action of a thermotic device effects the closing of the main window-closing circuit. Fig. 1l is a detail of themain circuit-closer used in the form of the invention illustrated at Fig. 10.

In the several views like signs denote like parts.

The wall of the building is designed as 1.

2is a window-frame, 3 the head thereof, and 4 and are the upper and lower sliding 413, which bear upon the pulleys.

Fig.l 10 is a terbalances 11, so that the sash may close by its own Weight when released.

At each side of the window I provide an equalizing-bar 12, extending from pulley to pulley and formed integral with brake-shoes In said bars at points between the shoes are caught the outer ends of rods or links 15, which at `their inner ends are pivoted to a cross-lever 16. which is fixed upon a horizontal rock-shaft 17, journaled in the front and rear walls or' the window-head. The lever is intended to act through the rods to cause the brakes to bear upon the pulleys with suicient power to prevent the windowasies from closing because of their disproportionately-counterbalanced condition. By movement or pressure of the lever in one direction all four brakeshoes may be set against the pulleys, while by a reverse movement thereoil all the brakes may be released. For setting the brakes I connect a draw-spring 18 to an arm 19, fixed upon the shaft 17, the other end of the spring being attached to the iloor ofthe window-head.

Upon the lever-shaft 17 I iix the movable armature 200il an electric motor 21 in such a manner that when the current traverses the motor the shaft is caused to turn in a direction to release the brakes in opposition to the tension of the brake-spring 18. For this purpose the motor or its equivalent vmay be ot' any suitable construction or design, and it may be so connected, it' desired, as to turn to a greater extent in order to release the brakes.

A motor 21 is provided at each window, and all are included in series in an electric circuit 22, normally open and provided within a casing 23 with terminals 2li, Fig. 8. A pivoted circuit-closer 25, held in a normally ineffective position by a spring 26, is provided with an armature 27, adapted to be attracted by an electromagnetY 28, thereby to close the circuit 22. Said magnet 28 is included in an auxil- IOO iary electric circuit 29, which is normally open and includes a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers 30, grouped in parallel, so that the heating of any one of them, eected by fire in the vicinity thereof, closes the auxiliary circuit, energizing the magnet 28 and causing the closer 25 to close the main circuit 22, thereby energizing the motors or other magnetic devices in the several windows and releasing the brakes and permitting the saslies to close. lt will be understood that while the thermotic closers are illustrated as located at different points upon the ceiling of the room they may be disposed near the windows, or outside of the windows,or in a different room, or at any desired points in a building and that the windows in several stories in a building may be controlled by a single thermotic circuit. The battery 31 for the window-closing circuit may be powerful without incurring great expense, since it is used only When the windows are to be closed, and the battery 32 for the thermotic circuit need be only strong enough to operate the circuitcloser 26, and since its use is only occasional it will be seen that the entire window-closing system may be maintained at trifling expense.

At Fig'. 7 is shown one form of thermotic circuit-closer in which one terminal, 33, dips into mercury 34, contained in a cup or tube 35, while the other terminal, 36, is out of contact with the mercury, but s0 close thereto that heating and consequent expansion of the mercury causes it to rise and contact with the terminal 36, thereby closing the auxiliary circuit with the result above set forth.

In the form shown at Fig. 9 a strip of suitable metal is bent into U form, as at 37, and suspended byastem 38 between the terminals 39 and 40, the bent strip being out of contact with at least oneof the terminals. When heated, the bent strip tends to open out, thereby making a contact with the terminals and closing the auxiliary circuit.

1n the form shown at Figs. 10 and 11 the auxiliary circuit is normally closed and includes in series a plurality of fusible devices 41, the fusing of any whereof by the action of heat of moderate degree breaks the circuit, and by means of the devices shown in detail at Fig. 11 the main circuit 22 is closed and the windows caused to close. At Fig. 11 a circuit-closer 42 is normally held out of contact with the terminals 24 of the main circuit by an armature 43, provided upon the circuitcloser, and an electromagnet 44, included in the auxiliary circuit 45, said magnet being normally energized by a suitable battery or other source of power 46. Upon the breaking of the circuit a draw-spring' 47 causes the device 42 to contact with both terminals 24, thereby completing the main circuit with the results stated.

At Fig. 5 a single circuit 48 is employed, including' in series the window-closing motors or other devices 21 and also including' thermotic circuit-closers 30, grouped in parallel, the group of thermotic devices being so related to the battery 31 and to the series of motors 21 that the closing of the circuit by any thermotic device enables the current to traverse all of the devices 21. It will be understood that the thermotic portion of the circuit may be extended to any desired portions of the building.

At Fig. 8 is illustrated a cord 50, provided with a bob 51 and connected to a lever 52 within the casing 23, said lever being in position to operate the circuit-closer 25 when pulled by the cord. Thus the electric current may be employed to close all the windows in the building at will.

Means are also preferably provided at each window for releasing its brakes, so as to enable both sashes to close, said means comprising a cord 53, having a bob 54 and connected to the free end of an arm 55, fixed upon a projecting end of the brake-shaft 17.

Referring now to Fig'. 4, the brake-controlling lever is mounted upon a vertical pivot 60 by means of a slot 61, extending longitudinally of the brake connections 15, so as to enable the lever to adjust itself evenly to the brakes at both sides of the window, and each connection is connected by a swivel-eye 61 and nuts 62 to the lever, so as to permit length adjustment of the connections. The brakesetting spring 63 is connected to an arm 64, formed upon the lever, and at its other end is attached to a trip-lever 65, pivoted at 66 to the framing. Said spring is normally held distended by means of a trip 67, engaging a nose 68, formed upon said trip-lever, said trip being held by a spring 69 against a stop 70. The trip is provided with an armature 71, adapted to be attracted by an electromagnet 72, which is included in the circuit 22 in place of the motor illustrated at Fig. 1. Upon the closing of the circuit 22 by means heretofore described the trip-armature is attracted and the trip caused to release the nose 68 of the lever 65, whereby the spring 63 is relaxed and the pressure of the sash-brakes is relieved, so that the sashes close automatically. The trip-lever may be returned to its normal position by a cord 73, attached thereto and running over a pulley 74, and the current being off the trip will snap into normal position by the action of its spring 69. In this construction the brake-setting spring 63 is released by the operation of the electric current, while in the Fig. 1 construction the brake-setting' spring 18 is put under even greater tension by the operation of the motor when the latter is excited by the electric current; but it will be seen that in both of these constructions the brakes themselves are released, this being accomplished in both instances by electromagnetic means, which at Fig. 4 include the magnet 72 and at Fig. 1 in- IOO IIO

may be resorted to Within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, I claim* l. The combination with a plurality ot' windows each havingI aver'tically-adjustable Window-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a counterbalance, Jfor maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down, or' a main electric circuit controlling sashclosing devices at each Window, an auxiliary electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic devices, and means also included in said auxiliary circuit for controlling said main ciicuit. i

2. rlhe combination Witha plurality of windows each having a vertically-adjustable window-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a 'counterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down, of a main electric circuit normally open and controlling sash-closing devices at each Window, an auxiliary circuit including a plurality of thermotic devices, and means also included lin said auxiliary circuit for closing said main circuit.

3. The combination with a plurality of Windows each having a'vertically-adjustable Window-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a counterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at Yany position to which it may be adjusted up or down, of sa sli-closing means extending from 'window to Window, and an electric circuit having means for controlling said sash-closing means and also inclusive of a plurality or' thermotic devices.

4. The combination With a plurality ot' Windows each having a vertically-adjustable win-` dow-sash, said sashes being'adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a counterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down, of an electric circuit normally ope'n and controlling sash-closing devices at each Window, and thermotic means for closingsai'd circuit.

. The combination with a plurality of Windowseach having a vert-ic'al'ly-adjustable'vvin-l dow-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one ot another and each provided with means, including a counterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down, of an electric circuit normally open and controlling sasli-closing devices at each window, and means for closing said circuit; said closing means including a series of separated thermotic devices connected independently of said circuit.

6. Thecombination With a plurality of Windows each having a plurality of sashes, each adjustable independently of the others, ot' an electric circuit controlling means for closing all of the sashes, from any positions to which they may be adjusted, and an auxiliary electric circuit including a plurality ot' thermotic devices and having means for controlling said 'sash-closing circuit.

7. rl`he combination vvith a plurality of Windows each having a vertically-adjustable \vindow-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one oi' another and each provided With means, including a counterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down,

of a main electric circuit normally open and 'controlling means for controlling said counterbalances, and an electric circuit including lmeans for closing said main circuit and also Yincluding a plurality of thermotic devices.

8. yThe combination with a plurality of windows each provided with a pair oi' sliding sashes and counterbalancing means therefor, each sash being adjustable independently-of the others, of a main electric circuit including a single electromagnetic device at each window for controlling all the lcounterbalances vthere located, to close the sashes from any positions to which they may be adjusted, andv an auxiliary controlling-circuit including a plurality of thermotic devices.

9. The combination with a plurality of Windows, each having a disproportionately-counterbalanced sash, of a brake for each sash, a main electric circuit including means at each Window for controlling its brake, and an auxiliary electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic devices and also including means for closing said main circuit.

l0. The combination with a plurality of windows, each havingI a pair oi' disproportionately-countei'balanced sashes, of a brake for each sash, an electric circuit normally open and including means for setting all the brakes, Vand an auxiliary electric circuit including means for closing said open circuit and also including a plurality of thermotic devices.

il. The combination with a plurality of windows, each provided with a sliding' sash, disproportionate counterbalancing means for the sash inclusiveotl a cable and a pair of pulleys, and abralie for each pulley, ot' a `main electric circuit! normally open and including IOO IIO

at each Window a device for releasing said brakes, and an auxiliary circuit including' means for closing said main circuit and also including a plurality of thermotic devices.

12. rPhe combination with a plurality of Windows, each provided with a pair of window-sashes, disproportionate counterbalancing means therefor including Weights, pulleys and cables, and brakes for the pulleys, of a main electric circuit including at each window an electromagnetic device common to all of its brakes for controlling' the saine, and an auxiliary electric circuit including` means for controlling said main electric circuit and also including a plurality of thermotic devices.

18. r1`he combination with a plurality of windows each having a vertically-adjustable Window-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a counterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down, of a normally open electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel, and means controlled by said circuit for closing all of the sashes.

14. The combination with a plurality of Windows each having' a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sliding sash and a brake therefor, of means for setting' the brakes. and a normally open electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel, and means rendered effective by the closing of said circuit for releasing all of said brakes.

l5. The combination with a plurality of Windows each having'a pair of disproportionately-counterbalanced sliding sashes, a pair of brakes for each sash, and means common to the brakes for rendering them effective, of a normally open electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel, and electromagnetic means rendered effective by the closing of said circuit by any of said circuitclosers, for releasing said brakes.

16. The combination With a plurality of Windows each having a vertically-adjustable Window-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a counterbalance, for maintaining' the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down, of an open electric circuit controlling means for closing all of the sashes, and an auxiliary electric circuit including means for closing said circuit and also including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel.

17. The combination with a disproportionately-counterbalanced Window-sash, of a brake therefor, a spring' for setting the brake, and an electromagnetic device for releasing the brake.

18. rlhe combination with a plurality of Windows, each having a pair of dispro portionately-counterbalanced sliding sashes, a pair of brakes for each sash, and a spring common to all the brakes for setting the same, of an electric circuit extending' from Window to Window and including means for releasing all of said brakes.

19. The combination with a plurality of Windows, each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sash, brakes therefor, and a spring for setting the brakes, of electromagnetic devices for releasing the brakes, and a normally open circuit including a plurality of thermotic devices grouped in parallel and each capable when heated of closing said circuit and rendering said electromagnetic releasing devices effective.

20. The combination with a plurality of windows, each having apair of disproportionately-counterbalanced sliding sashes, a pair of brakes for each sash, and a spring common to said brakes for setting the same, of a normally open electric circuit including electromagnetic devices for releasing all the brakes, and a normally open auxiliary circuit including means for closing said brake-releasing' circuit, and also including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel.

21. The combination with a disproportionately-counterbalanced windoW-sash,of a brake therefor, and an electric circuit including a motor for controlling said brake.

22. The combination with a pair of disproportionately-coun terbalanced windoW-sashes, of a brake for each of said sashes, and an electric circuit including a motor provided with means for controlling' both of said brakes.

23. The combination with a pair of disproportionately-counterbalanced windo\v-sashes, of a pair of brakes for each of said sashes, and an electric circuit including a motor provided With means for controlling all of said brakes.

24. The combination With a plurality of windows each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sash, a brake, and a spring for setting the brake, of a normally open electric circuit including a thermotic circuit-closing' device and also including a motor at each Window for releasing the brake.

25. The combination with a plurality of windows each having' a pair of disproportionately-counterbalanced window-sashes, and a pair of brakes for each sash, of an electric circuit incl uding at each window a motor provided with means for controlling all of said brakes, and thermotic means for controlling said circuit.

26. The combination with a plurality of windows each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sash, a pair of brakes, and a spring' for setting' the brakes, of a motor at each Window for releasing the brakes, and a normally open circuit including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers, the heating' of any of which renders said motors effective.

IOO

27. The combination with a disproportionately-counterbalanced window-sash and a pair of brakes therefor, of a lever operatively connected to said brakes, an electric motor whose revoluble member is rigid with said lever, and thermotic means for controlling said motor.

28. The combination of a movable windowsash, a brake at each side thereof, a lever disposed between said brakes, connections from said lever to said brakes, a shaft whereon said lever is mounted between said connections, an electric circuit including a motor whose revoluble part is mounted upon said shaft, and thermotic means for controlling said circuit.

29. The combination with a window-frame, of a sliding' sash mounted therein, disproportionate counterbalances for said sash, cables connecting said sash to said counterbalances, pulleys over which said cables run, a brake for each pulley, a lever disposed between said brakes, connections from said lever to said brakes, a shaft whereon said lever is fixed, a spring for setting said brakes. an electric circuit normallyT open and including a motor whose revoluble member is fixed upon said shaft, and thermotic means for closing said circuit.

30. The combination with a plurality of window-frames, each having a pair of sliding sashes, disproportionate counterbalancing means for said sashes, cables connecting said sashes to said counterbalancing means, pulleys over which said cables run, a brake for each pulley, means directly connecting the brakes at adjoining pulleys, a lever, connections from said lever to said connecting means, and a shaft whereon said lever is fixed between said connections, of an electric circuitincluding at each window a motor whose revoluble member is mounted on said shaft, and thermotic means for controlling said circuit.

31. The combina-tion with a plurality of window-frames, each having a pair of sliding sashes, disproportionate counterbalancing means for said sashes, cables connecting said sashes to said counterbalancing means, pulleys over which said cables run, a brake for each pulley, means directly connecting the brakes at adjoining pulleys, a lever, connections from said lever to said connecting means, a spring connected to said lever for setting the brakes, and a shaft whereon said lever is fixed between said connections, of a normally open electric circuit including at each window a motor whose revoluble member is mounted on said shaft, and a plurality of thermotic devices connected in parallel and each capable, when heated, of closing said circuit.

32. rlhe combination with a plurality of windows each having a vertically-adjustable window-sash, said sashes being adjustable independently one of another and each provided with means, including a eounterbalance, for maintaining the sash stationary at any position to which it may be adjusted up or down,

of a normally open .electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel, and means controlled by said circuit for closing all of the sashes; cach of said circuitclosers comprising a cup, mercury therein, and a pair of electrodes, whereof one is in contact with the mercury and the other is not.

33. The combination with a plurality of windows each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sliding sash and a brake therefor, of means for setting the brakes, a normally open electric circuit including a plurality of thermotic circuit-closers grouped in parallel, and means rendered effective by the closing of said circuit for releasing all of said brakes; each of said circuit-closers comprising a cup, mercury therein, and a pair of electrodes, at least one whereof is out of contact with the mercury but close thereto.

34. The combination with a plurality of windows, each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sash, of a brake for each sash, an electric circuit including electromagnetic means at each window forcontrolling its brake, and manually-operative means at each window for releasing the brake.

35. rlhe combination with a plurality of windows, each having a pair of disproportionately-counterbalanced sashes, of a brake for each sash, an electric circuit including means for controlling all the brakes, and manuallyoperable means at each window for releasing' the brakes.

36. The combination with a plurality of windows, each having a pair of disproportionately-counterbalanced sliding sashes and a pair of brakes for each sash,of an electric circuit, a spring and an electromagnetic device at each window, one for setting' and the otherforreleasing all the brakes, said circuit including said electromagnetic devices, and manuallyoperable means at each window for releasing all the brakes.

37. The combination with a plurality of windows, each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced window-sash, a brake therefor, a spring for setting the brake, and an electromagnetic device for releasing the brake, of an open electric circuit in which said electromagnetic devices are included, and a switch for closing said circuit.

38. The combination with a plurality of windows, each having a disproportionatelycounterbalanced sash, a brake therefor, a spring for setting the brake, and an electromagnetic device for releasing the brake, of an open electric circuit in which said electromagnetic devices are included, a switch for closing said circuit, thermotic devices for closing said circuit, and manually-operable means at each window for releasing the brake.

39.. The combination with a window-frame, of a sliding sash mounted therein, disproportionate counterbalances for said sash, cables IOO connecting said sash to said counterbalances, pulleys over which said cables run, a brake for each pulley, a lever disposed between said brakes, connections from said lever to said brakes, a shaft Whereon said lever is fixed, an arm on said shaft outside of the Window-frame, and a releasing-cord connect-ed to said arm.

40. The combination with a Window-frame, of a sliding' sash mounted therein, disproportionate counterbalances for said sash, cables connecting said sash to said counterbalances, pulleys over which said cables run, a brake for each pulley, a lever disposed between said brakes, connections from said lever to said brakes, a spring for setting said brakes, a shaft I 5 Whereon said lever is iixed, electromagnetic means for moving said lever to release said brakes, thermotie devices for controlling said electromagnetic means, an arm on said shaft outside of the Window-frame, and a releasing- 2O cord connected to said arm.

HENRY COLLIER SMITH.

Witnesses:

B. C. STICKNEY, CHARLES H. HAIG 

